MOCS HOOPS
' UTC AT UNC CHARLOTTE
' HALTON ARENA, CHARLOTTE
' TONIGHT AT 7
' RADIO: 96.1 FM
UTC
Projected starters: Ht.
G Donovann Toatley 5-9
G Jonathan Scott 6-4
G Jerry Johnson 6-1
F Kevin Easley 6-6
F Thomas Smallwood 7-0
Key reserves:
G David Jean-Baptiste 6-1
F Justin Brown 6-11
Charlotte
Projected starters: Ht.
G Jon Davis 6-3
G Malik Martin 6-6
G Brandon Younger 6-7
F Dravon Mangum 6-9
C Jailen Haslem 6-10
Key reserves:
G Cooper Robb 6-1
F Milos Supica 6-9
Mocs report
The Mocs received a scare in their 62-60 exhibition win over NCAA Division II Lee, needing a late layup by Toatley to defeat the Flames. His 14 points led the Mocs, while Easley added 10 and Johnson nine. The Mocs played the game with only eight players, which very well could happen again tonight.
49ers report
Charlotte is in a period of transition, having fired coach Mark Price after a December loss to UTC and hiring Ron Sanchez. He kicked two players off the team in October and will go into the season with only 10 scholarship players. Davis and Supica are two of the experienced 49ers, while as many as four freshmen may start tonight.
Key matchup
Sanchez is a former Virginia assistant, meaning the 49ers could be a tough-minded defensive team. The game likely will not be high-scoring, so for a UTC team that struggled at times in the half-court set against Lee, taking advantage of each possession and making good decisions will be important.
- Gene Henley